Atomic Ranch Fall 2018: The Kitchen & Bath Issue

It's here, and it's official. Atomic Ranch fall 2018 is on sale now, and it's our first kitchens & baths issue (ever)! Whether you're looking to renovate or simply refresh these tricky spaces, you'll find everything from inspirational ideas and designs to top products and how-tos. This issue has what you'll need to turn the kitchen or bath of your dreams into reality.

A vivid wall and minimalist pattern creates a creative space for children and a clean, modernist space for you. Photo by Jim Brown.

Wherever you find children, the probability of roughhousing increases. It’s been that way since the middle of last century and beyond. What’s a person to do when your cherished décor must face the play habits of children? Can you keep your aesthetic gracefully in tact without worry and white-knuckling every event? The answer is, “Yes.” Here are some basic playroom ideas to ensure that you can get the look you want, even if it’s just for the kids.

Choose a durable floor covering. Dirty shoes and spills are inevitable, even with adults. One practical option is to use modular flooring that allows you to replace a square instead of the entire carpet.

Keep furniture choices simple. The clean low-profile lines of many MCM furniture pieces are perfect for the smaller-statured crowd. It will be accommodating to their needs, and to your desire for an artful play area.

Include period-specific toys. Whether they are vintage toys, or reboots of the classics, they would be a perfect touch, tip-of-the-hat, to the midcentury generation. If it was good enough for the Boomers, it’s good enough to create some playful noise with today’s kids.

Splurge on a fun color. You may have subdued colors throughout the house, but the playroom lends itself to fun. Paint a wall red, orange, turquoise or whatever makes your playful side come out. Select paints that allow you to easily clean up messes. Steer clear of flat finishes that hold onto stains, and choose satin finishes or higher which foster easy wipe-ups.

Invite others to enjoy. Now that you’ve created a safe, fun and inviting play area all you need to do is populate it with play-date revelers. Exercise the usual and customary discretion, but rejoice in the notion that now you don’t have to worry about ruining your décor. You can get the MCM look without destroying your dreams.

With these playroom ideas, your child will enjoy the colorful room you’ve created and grow up knowing the basics of good design!